Bamboo flooring can be sanded and refinished lighter. Just curious why you want to raise the floor?

We think a raised floor that is lighter would modernize the room a bit. We'll see how we feel when all of their furniture, curtains & wallpaper is removed.

As you said, with all of those items removed it may look quite a bit better. Is the bamboo throughout the house? Is there a possibility of salvaging/reusing it, then having the finish lightened? Bamboo is a durable flooring.

I think the floor looks fine but is in desperate need of rugs.

Just try some lighter rugs with your furniture and you won't need to redo the floors.

Is your furniture mostly light or dark?

i dont recommend any flooring adjustments till you have lived with it. i bet there is a reason the entry is tiled. sand, snow?

keep in mind if you raise the floors the doors will have to be taken out and moved and or replaced and because your ceiling in the room does not look to be more than 9' it could be a big problem. I would not raise the floor. I would retile the front entryway in a tile that is more up to date. As for the hardwood, is the same bamboo flooring on the other side of the tile in the entryway also or is it different? I agree, you should have the same flooring where possible. Bamboo flooring is very popular in my area so my question would be- do you like the grain? Is it just the color you dislike? If you like the grain sanding it down and changing the stain color is preferable to tearing it out and replacing it. It is a durable floor. Having said that, you really need the wood floor stain to work with the wood stain elsewhere in the home.

havingfun Tiled entry is typical in AZ. Most homes don't have sand or snow, just dirt from monsoon storms. As long as there is an entry rug, wood flooring is fine.

Raising the floor will reduce tripping hazard.

We need to purchase all new furniture. Lighter colored rugs, light furniture, good lighting, remove blinds & curtains sounds like a good solution to try first. We didn't want to paint the ceiling, beams or window casings for they match (dark). Will probably keep the walls light like they are because of that. Maybe we will live with the floors for a while.... Hum.... Would love to replace tile. I still don't care for the angle that the wood was laid (diagonal). Argh.

You could replace the bamboo and tile in the entry with the same finish. I suggest large-format porcelain tile in a light shade. I'd do something like 12"x24" or slimmer and be sure it isn't solid white; some pattern will be more forgiving of dirt. I've used Daltile, Mosa, and Crossville. I'd do the grout in something in the medium range, not too light or it will stain, not too dark or it will be visually overwhelming. Note that porcelain tile is different than ceramic in that porcelain has the same color all the way through the tile and ceramic is typically white body with a color glaze. I typically use porcelain for its durability.

Tile options:

-Crossville: https://crossvilleinc.com/products/virtue/

-Daltile: http://products.daltile.com/series.cfm?series=429&item=6516&look=linearplank

-Tilebar: http://tilebar.com/carpeta-blanco-12x36-porcelain-tile.html; http://tilebar.com/cavatina-corda-porcelain-tile.html; http://tilebar.com/copse-white-4x24-porcelain-tile.html

Bamboo can get sanded and stained a bit lighter, but I don't think that will make the difference you're looking for. And the bamboo competes with the other pine

I agree with keeping the wood ceiling as is - that's part of what makes the house. Consider updating the lighting. Your pendant could be replaced with something with higher output, like a Jonathan Adler Meurice fixture that has 26 bulbs which up- and down-light (or something similar). I also like to use LED 100-watt replacement bulbs wherever I can, which makes a huge difference.

Another option to lighten things would be to paint all the doors, windows, and trim white to blend with the walls. That would reduce all the visual contrast.

Good luck, you have a really pretty house!

well the home is lovely. do you have any particular colors or styles that you are interested in?

I'm not a designer, but just wanted to say your home is very pretty. I love the wood ceiling and beams and don't mind the floor, but I see what you're saying about diagonal set, not a deal breaker for me. I feel like looking at your picture most of the changes to get your more modern feel will be cosmetic (like you said removing wall paper, light fixtures and window treatments and maybe paint a fresh new color) Once you address those I feel like you will be able to visualize your style more and add your own modern furnishings. I think a rug will help break up all the wood. It really is a pretty space and I don't think you need to break the bank to get the look you are going for. I don't know your style, but I have seen designer Lauren Leiss design some amazing spaces that have a lot of wood going on.

The room has so much potential without raising the floor. Personally, I like the current flooring. Won't raising the floors create a domino affect in that your doors to the outdoors will need to be replaced? Will they then even be a standard height or require a custom door? $$$$$

Only the living room is "sunken". No doors involved. We'd raise it to match the front door hallway height and the other side is the dining room. The living room windows are tall, so it might be ok... Just thought it would be easier to have it all on one level and no step and modernize the house.

I really don't think two levels will date it. It really is a beautiful house. Other than the items mentioned above, the only thing I would change right away is getting a darker tile for the entry. That is the only part that looks dated to me.

If you raise the floor and the windows wind up being 18 inches or less from the new floor the glass will need to be changed to tempered glass to meet code (and be safe). Put me on the side that would leave the floor as is.

I would also leave the floor, but I would stain it darker so that the diagonal grain is not as noticeable. I would not paint the ceiling, but I would paint the ceiling beams. The white beams would be a lovely contrast with the wood ceiling.

We wanted to share some of our designs with you that we've done in the AZ area. Hope it helps you with your project.

Modern Napa · More Info

Modern Napa · More Info

Modern Hill Top Home · More Info

Modern Hill Top Home · More Info

LA Home from The Holiday has a sunken living room. Looks contemporary to me.

yes, from what i am seeing above, the flooring is like FL the heat requires lighter floors.

havingfun................you would not believe the number of black cars and dark floors in Florida. AC is available in Florida.

i did live there during central air. but tile was still a premium floor. and almost white is still a big color. dark houses are still looked at like dead teeth. i was pointing out the above pics showing light.

I hate comments that don't address the question, but I am going to be one of those commenters! I would leave everything as is except change the walls, replace lighting with modern styles, and remove the window treatments. Paint the walls a nice grey, taupe, or light cool color and fill the room with clean lined furnishings. Modern, contemporary, mid century modern. A few abstract pieces of artwork. Sculptures, accents. It's like "rustic" meets modern. If privacy isn't an issue then consider no window coverings. BTW - I love that tree in the foyer.... the planter too!

which is true, lighter walls make floors look darker.